Things to Do In Orlando—Besides Disney

If you’ll be in Orlando in less than a month for the Mom 2.0 summit, I’m sure that there may be a search for ways to get more bang for your buck, without visiting any theme parks. If you’re going to theme parks, hopefully this post of things to do in Orlando will serve as a checklist of other places you can go to get an even bigger Orlando experience.

Be effortlessly lifted away in a capsule of calm and serenity to see Orlando in a way you’ve never seen it before. The iconic 400-foot tall observation wheel provides breathtaking views of Central Florida in all directions, with sights of downtown Orlando’s skyline, theme parks, lakes and lush landscape, and on a clear day, views of Cape Canaveral on the east coast.

Located about an hour East of Orlando, if you’re driving, the Kennedy Space Center is a great stop! Whether your visit includes training like an astronaut, attending a special event or just a day of touring Kennedy Space Center, arrive early for this full-day experience to make the most of your visit. Though closing time varies by season, the visitor complex opens at 9 am every day of the year. Plan your trip for this season or next, for any day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

If you’re looking for a spot to check out all things science, but not one hour out of Orlando, then this is the spot for you. Arrive early to maximize your time there, and be ready to get elbows deep in your biggest science adventure yet!

Reptile World Serpentarium’s unassuming cinder block and stucco building, which opened in 1972, houses an impressive collection (over 80 species) of snakes from around the world, ranging from the familiar and innocuous to the exotic and deadly. Often listed among the top ten deadliest snakes in the world you will find a splendid 13+ foot King Cobra, a beautiful Black Mamba and all four of Florida’s venomous snakes on display. All told, there are six species of cobra and 11 kinds of rattlesnakes. There are also snakes you may never see elsewhere, like the brilliant pea green East African Green Mamba and its less startling but nonetheless beautiful West African cousin. The snakes are housed in modest glass-fronted enclosures along a darkened corridor. Snakes are the main course, but there are also several species of lizards, a Nile Crocodile, a 14-foot male gator lounging in a shallow, sometimes murky pool with his mate (and sometimes their babies), a passel of iguanas and a pond full of turtles as well as some tortoises.

These are just five spots that you can start, and all have their business addresses and entry fees clearly stated on their sites. If you’re looking for food spots, be sure to tune in next week as our Mom 2.0 attendees share their faves!

NATASHA NICHOLES is a writer, community champion, and general wizard born and raised in Chicago. She’s the wife of her 8th grade sweetheart (really, y’all) and they have four beautiful children. She was born into a traveling family, including a grandfather who traversed the USA on his motorcycle—the real reason she gets behind the wheel so often. Having a husband that’s just as passionate about travel is perfect too, and children who love long trips. She doesn’t need a reason to get on a plane, in a car, or on a train, but she does need good companionship of the people or food variety. When she’s not traveling, she’s homeschooling her children, and running a semi-clean home. You can follow her adventures on Twitter at @natashanicholes, Instagram at @natashanicholes and Pinterest @natashanicholes

Mom 2.0 Summit

2020 Mom 2.0 Summit

MAY 6-8, 2020 • Los Angeles, California
AN OPEN CONVERSATION BETWEEN MOMS + MARKETERS + MEDIA
Mom 2.0 is a gathering of influencers and leaders who create content online and on air in parenting, entertainment, food, politics, business, marketing, technology, social change, travel and design.

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Mom 2.0 Summit

MAY 6-8, 2020 • Los Angeles, California
AN OPEN CONVERSATION BETWEEN MOMS + MARKETERS + MEDIA
Mom 2.0 is a gathering of influencers and leaders who create content online and on air in parenting, entertainment, food, politics, business, marketing, technology, social change, travel and design.